The dazzling fireworks display had lasted all through the night - at least, as far through the night
The dazzling fireworks display had lasted all through the night - at least, as far through the night as Algy had managed to stay awake - but when dawn broke Algy found that the display had ended, and he knew that it was time to pack his bags…Of course, Algy didn’t actually have any bags, for he had been magically transported to his island without time to make the usual preparations, but he did now have a hammock, so he decided that that was the next best thing. Unfortunately, however, the hammock did not agree - it seemed to be of the opinion that it was made for swinging in, not for carrying the sundry bits and pieces collected by fluffy birds on tropical islands…Algy spent an exhausting and frustrating few hours trying to persuade the hammock to cooperate, but with very little success, and when he had attempted for the twenty-sixth time to wrap his birthday poetry books in it, only to have the hammock tip them out again, he decided that he might as well take a wee break and spend his time more profitably by reading one instead. Opening a book at random, this is what he read:I have a friendAt the endOf the world.His name is a breathOf fresh air.He is dressed inGrey chiffon. At leastI think it is chiffon.It has aPeculiar look, like smoke.It wraps him roundIt blows out of placeIt conceals himI have not seen his face.But I have seen his eyes, they areAs pretty and brightAs raindrops on black twigsIn March, and heard him say:I am a breathOf fresh air for you, a changeBy and by.Black March I call himBecause of his eyesBeing like March raindropsOn black twigs.(Such a pretty time when the skyBehind black twigs can be seenStretched out in oneUninterruptedCambridge blue as cold as snow.)But this friendWhatever new names I give himIs an old friend. He says:Whatever names you give meI amA breath of fresh air,A change for you.Algy hopes very much that the new season will bring all his friends a breath of fresh air and some very positive changes [Algy is quoting the poem Black March by the 20th century English poet Stevie Smith.] -- source link
#tropical island#fluffy bird#packing#leaving#poetry#black march#stevie smith#colour#original content